Sulfur pastilles: specifications, uses and benefits
Sulfur – the fourth plant nutrient
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are important components of a well-fertilized crop. But to achieve higher yields and more nutritious foods, crops need sulfur (S). This article is an introduction to sulfur and its important role in agriculture, and introduces the characteristics and benefits of sulfur paste.
Types of sulfur fertilizers
Sulfur is a free and compound resource with many applications, but it is mostly used in the manufacture of chemical compounds and intermediate products in the industrial cycle. The largest consumption of sulfur in recent years has been in agriculture and phosphate fertilizers.
With over 20 different sulfur-containing fertilizers on the market, it can be a challenge for farmers to choose the best option. Farmers should speak with a local farmer or extension agent to determine how best to identify and correct deficiencies in their fields.
Most sulfur-containing fertilizer materials can be broadly divided into four groups: 1) sulfate-containing fertilizers 2) primary sulfur-containing fertilizers 3) fertilizers containing a combination of sulfate and primary sulfur 4) liquid sulfur fertilizers.
The role of sulfur pastille in plant growth and development
Types of Sulfur including Sulfur Lozenges Sulfur is one of the 17 essential plant nutrients. It is essential for the growth and development of all crops, without exception. Like any essential nutrient, sulfur has some primary functions in plants:
- The formation of chlorophyll, which enables photosynthesis, through which plants produce starch, sugars, oils, fats, vitamins, and other compounds.
- Protein production. Sulfur lozenges are a source of three S-containing amino acids (cysteine, cystine, and methionine), which are the building blocks of protein. About 90% of plant S is found in these amino acids.
- Synthesis of oils. That is why sufficient sulfur is so important for oilseeds.
- Activation of enzymes that aid in plant biochemical reactions.
- It increases crop yield and improves product quality. Both determine a farmer’s market price for his crop.
- Referring to crop quality, S improves the percentage of protein and oil in grains, the quality of grains for milling and baking, the market for dried coconut kernels (copra), the quality of tobacco, the nutritional value of fodder, etc.
- It is associated with plant-specific metabolisms and structural features of protoplasm.
Sources and symptoms of sulfur deficiency (sulfur lozenges)
Symptoms of sulfur deficiency are similar to nitrogen deficiency: leaves turn pale yellow or light green. Unlike nitrogen, symptoms of sulfur deficiency appear first on young leaves and persist even after nitrogen application.
Sulfur pastille fertilizer and crop yield
While soil tests for sulfur deficiency show that the crop grown in that soil will benefit from or respond to sulfur application, the real proof is that applying sulfur lozenges to such soils will increase crop yield.
Sulfur and sulfate-containing paste fertilizers provide most of the S available to the soil. These materials have the advantage of providing S primarily as a component of multinutrient fertilizers in the form of SO4-2, which is immediately available for plant uptake. The most readily available and popular sources are ammonium sulfate (AS), single superphosphate (SSP), potassium sulfate, and potassium-magnesium sulfate.
Sulfur lozenges are well known for reducing soil pH and restoring soda soils. However, its function as a source of S fertilizer has greatly increased its use in agriculture due to the limited production and availability of other sulfur-containing fertilizer materials.
Elemental S is a yellow, inert, water-soluble crystalline solid. It is commercially stored outdoors, where it remains unaffected by humidity and temperature changes. When S is finely ground and mixed with soil, it is oxidized to SO4-2 by soil microorganisms.
The effect of S on plant S supply compared to SO4-2 depends on several factors including particle size, rate, method and application. S oxidizing properties of soil and environmental conditions The rate of S oxidation increases with decreasing particle size.
The finer the S particle size, the greater the surface area and the faster the formation of SO4-2. Therefore, an increase in the S surface area leads to an increase in the availability of SO4-2 to the products.
When finely divided S is mixed with a soil with high oxidation potential, it is usually as effective as other sources. Timing of application is especially important for S crops. Finely divided S should be worked into the soil as much as possible before planting.
Sulfur pastille
S placement can often affect its oxidation rate, with spreading followed by mixing being superior to banding. Uniform distribution of S particles in the soil 1) provides greater exposure of S particles to oxidizing microorganisms, 2) minimizes potential concerns due to excessive acidity, and 3) creates more favorable moisture relationships.
If S is placed on the soil surface and is present, compared to SO4-2, SO4-2 may initially provide better responses. Because of its solubility, it can move into the root zone with reducing waters. S must first be oxidized to SO4-2. This is not a fast process, especially when it remains on the soil surface.
In the case of granular elemental S crops, a period of exposure to dry and freeze-thaw cycles at the soil surface is required to disrupt the grains and disperse S. This dispersion process is essential for satisfactory soil conversion prior to incorporation. S is available for planting as SO4-2. With the exception of perennial crops, covering S sources is not usually recommended and in all cases, primary S should be applied before the crop needs it.